What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a medical system that dates back more than 5,000 years to rural India. It can be used as preventative care and as a healing system. The word Ayurveda translates to the knowledge or science of life. 'Ayur' meaning life and 'veda' meaning knowledge or science. As more people are turning to holistic methods of healing, they are also discovering the benefits that Ayurveda offers.

As a sister science of yoga, Ayurveda provides deep insight into caring for the whole individual which includes tending to the mind, body and spirit. The ancient science places equal value on the health of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a human-being. For example, emotional balance is just as important as physical health. 

One important fundamental belief in Ayurveda is pragya aparadh, which means the “mistake of the intellect” or "crime against wisdom". This belief understands that imbalance or disease occurs when we live out of tune with nature's intelligence.

As an example of nature's intelligence, the Ayurvedic clock informs seasonal eating and daily eating patterns such as when to take the biggest meal of the day. When we tune to these cycles, and follow other Ayurvedic practices then we remain in flow wth nature's intelligence. This flow translates to ease, balance and greater health. 

Another example, many animal species know it is time to mate because they sense longer days and shorter nights in the spring. 

Health is More Than Absence of Disease

Health is not simply defined as the absence of disease in Ayurveda. Rather it is good digestion, proper sleep, healthy tissues, abundant energy, balanced emotions, graceful aging, and longevity. When one experiences true health, a vibrant and light energy shines from the inside-out. This is ojas. Ojas is the by product of perfect digestion and is the pure intelligence or essence of the tissues. It is the fluid of life, and it creates vitality, strength and immunity.

Strong, balanced digestion or agni is vital for good health. Agni is the digestive fire that processes food and experience. It is important that one maintains strong agni to reduce the risk of forming ama. Ama is toxic build-up from poorly digested foods and/or experiences. Ama blocks flow which disturbs the natural intelligence and normal functioning of tissues. This leads to dis-ease or disease.

Use Nature to Heal

Ayurveda is rich with natural modalities that bring balance and good health to the whole individual. The system uses diet, lifestyle, exercise, yoga, meditation, sound, touch, color, herbs and aromatherapy to heal. 

Five Element Theory

Ayurveda is rooted in the following five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space (ether). Each element has inherent qualities. These qualities can be witnessed by witnessing the elements in nature. For example, earth is dense and static. Water is liquid and dense. Fire is hot and mobile. Air is mobile and clear. Space is subtle and expansive. 

Doshas

These five elements combine to create doshas, or unique mind-body types. There are three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. How the doshas appear in each individual inform physical characteristics, emotional and mental tendencies as well predispositions to specific ailments. When doshas are out of balance it causes dis-ease or disease. 

The doshas advise proper diet, lifestyle, and self-care techniques for individuals. For example, have you tried a diet that doesn't work for you for various reasons? You may not be eating according to your dosha! Knowing and understanding your dosha is key to good health and happiness. 

I’ve listed and briefly described each of the doshas below:

Vata

Vata is a combination of the air and space elements.

Vata controls movement. Movement of and within the body, movement of thoughts, movement of emotions. Vata is dryness and changeability of fall and early winter.

Vata is light, dry, coarse, rough, dark, changeable, moveable, subtle, cold and clear. A classic vata body frame is a light, thin build. Vata types are enthusiastic, vivacious and talkative.

Vata imbalances include: anxiety, fear, poor sleep, forgetfulness, excess air – gas/burps, bloating, constipation, general dryness, poor circulation and pain. 

In my experience, vata is a common imbalance in our society. It is the most subtle of the three doshas which means it is generally the first to go out of balance. Vata relates to movement, so continuous simulation and movement creates imbalance. 

Pitta

Pitta is a combination of mostly fire and some water.

Pitta controls metabolism. Pitta relates to anything that changes form and structure such as digestion, transformation, and energy production. Pitta is the heat summer.

Pitta is hot, sharp, pungent, intense, flowing, sour and slightly oily. A classic pitta build is muscular with a medium frame. Pitta types are intense, analytical, focused, generous and goal-oriented.

Pitta imbalances include: irritability, anger, impatience, criticism, jealousy, intense hunger and thirst, acid, heat, loose stool, redness, rash, skin disorders, and inflammation.

Kapha

Kapha is a combination of earth and water elements.

Kapha controls structure. Structure includes: muscle, fat, bones, and all small cells that create form. Kapha is the juiciness of spring.

Kapha is unctuous, slimy, cool, moist, sticky, heavy, stable, strong and soft. A classic kapha build is a large frame. Kapha types are jovial, sweet, loving and easy-going.

Kapha imbalances include: obesity, congestion, lethargy, colds/coughs, lymphatic congestion, cold clammy hands, profuse sweating, stuffy nose, cysts, high cholesterol, diabetes, and poor appetite.

Conclusion

Ayurveda may seem complicated, but living a balanced, wholesome life can be simpler than you think. There are many places to start your journey.

It is helpful to uncover your dosha to better understand the innate needs for your individual constitution. You can do that by taking a dosha test on ShriWellness.com. 

Another recommendation is to begin slowing down. The process of slowing down encourages attuning the body to the rhythm of nature. It also supports increased awareness as well as intuition of actual physical, mental and emotional needs. Awareness of environment and self is necessary for individuals to know what creates greater balance or imbalance. It begins by slowing down.

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Why Holistic Healing?

Questions about alternative forms of medicine and healing is normal and even healthy. You need — and deserve — to know how it will affect your body. I have decided to answer some common questions about holistic healing and using Ayurveda as an alternative healing style.

What is holistic healing?
 

The American Holistic Health Association describes holistic medicine as, “the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person — body, mind, and spirit.” Unlike Western medicine where the immediate symptoms are diagnosed and treated, holistic medicine and healing focuses on the underlying cause of the symptoms, whether that’s stress, inflammation, poor diet, gut health issues, etc. Holistic medicine focuses on curing that underlying cause, which will then promote optimal health.

Another subtle but important distinction is that in Western medicine the absence of disease equates to health. However, in holistic healing, the absence of disease does not always equate to being vibrant and feeling well. Holistic healing believes that prevention is key. As an example, if digestion and elimination are not functioning properly,  if sleep is poor, or if constant stress is present these are signs that health is not optimal. Let's examine elimination (bowel movements) from the Western perspective in comparison to Ayurvedic medicine. Western medicine does not see lack of daily elimination as a health concern. If someone were to skip a day or two then that's within the normal range of elimination. However, in Ayurveda, we recognize this as the first sign of an imbalance and breeding ground for disease to manifest. Toxins are being recirculated in the body, and it just doesn't feel good!

Why do people use holistic healing/ medicine?
 

Holistic healing and medicine’s focus on mind and spirit is what makes it stand out from Western medicine and what makes it appealing.  By focusing on a patient’s mind and spirit, holistic healers and physicians form a special relationship with each of their patients. They get to know them on a deeply personal and spiritual level. Holistic healers and physicians urge their patients to, “evoke the healing power of love, hope, humor, and enthusiasm, and to release the toxic consequences of hostility, shame, greed, depression, and prolonged fear, anger, and grief,” (ahha.org).

What types of practices are considered “holistic?”
 

According to Mary Jo Kreitzer, RN, PhD from the University of Minnesota, holistic healing encompasses an array of practices and therapies. Below is a breakdown of different methodologies:

1. Biologically based therapies (or naturally occurring therapies) include herbal medicines and aromatherapy (essential oils). Both of these therapies use plant and other biological based materials topically and as ingestibles. These therapies have gained popularity recently but have been used for thousands of years. Diet therapy is another notable holistic healing form.

2. Manipulative body based therapies encompass the healing power of touch through massage therapy, chiropractic adjustments and reiki, a vibrational healing practice. 

3. Mind-body interventions include relaxation classes and focus on behavioral, spiritual, social, and psychological approaches like meditation and visualizations. Yoga nidra is a another great example.

4. Energy therapies use energy in the form of electromagnetic, ultrasonic, thermal, or subtle energy to heal. Examples include reiki, healing touch and chakra exploration/awareness through the subtle body energies. 

5. Alternative medical systems which includes Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Both healing systems focus on healing through physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Chinese Medicine includes practices such as acupuncture, tai chi and qi gong. Ayurveda, known as the sister-science of yoga, includes meditation, sleep, a nourishing and balanced diet, and nature and love as healing modalities.  Read more about Ayurveda below.

What healing modalities does Ayurveda include?
 

Ayurveda includes many healing modalities! Some practices include: yoga, aromatherapy, massage, diet, meditation, sleep, herbal remedies, self-care, lifestyle recommendations, counseling, jyotish, panchakarma, subtle body awareness and marma point therapy.

Is holistic healing for me?
 

In my experience, people who try any method of holistic healing see benefit. By focusing on curing the root cause of the ailment they are able to gain profound understanding of how the mind, body, and spirit work harmoniously together. Individuals learn to appreciate the energies and emotions within and around them. J.R. Worsley, the man credited with bringing acupuncture to the West said, “If the body is sick, the mind worries and the spirit grieves; if the mind is sick, the body and spirit will suffer from its confusion; if the spirit is sick, there will be no one to care for the body or mind.”

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